Travel guide · United Kingdom
York travel guide
A Gothic minster, medieval walls, Viking history and the Shambles
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
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Quick answer
York has been a Roman fortress, a Viking capital called Jorvik and medieval England's second city, and all of those layers survive inside its almost complete circuit of city walls. York Minster, one of the largest Gothic cathedrals in northern Europe, towers over timber-framed streets such as the Shambles and Stonegate, and the free National Railway Museum sits just behind the station. The centre is small, flat and walkable, which makes York an easy two-day break or a base for the North York Moors and the Yorkshire Dales. Plan 3 days for a first visit; the best months are May–June and September.
Key facts
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Best time to visit
- May–June and September
- Ideal stay
- 3 days
- Main airports
- LBA, MAN
- Mid-range daily budget
- $160–$280 per person (estimate)
- Known for
- York Minster, City walls, The Shambles and Vikings
Why visit York
- York Minster's medieval stained glass, including the Great East Window, is among the largest collections of its kind in the world.
- You can walk about 3.4 km of medieval city walls, the longest surviving town walls in England, for free.
- The National Railway Museum, with locomotives such as Mallard and a Japanese bullet train, is free.
- The Shambles, Stonegate and Petergate preserve medieval timber-framed streets in the city centre.
- Castle Howard, Whitby, Harrogate and the North York Moors are all within about 1 hour 30 minutes.
Top things to do
The six sights most first-time visitors build a trip around. See all 15 things to do.
Religious site · Minster Quarter
York Minster
Built over about 250 years from the 13th century, the Minster is one of the largest Gothic cathedrals in northern Europe.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours with the tower
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- Architecture
- History
- Views
- Rainy day
Historic site · City Centre
York City Walls
The medieval walls, built largely on Roman and Viking defences, run for about 3.4 km around much of the old city, with four main gateways (bars): Bootham, Monk, Walmgate and Micklegate.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Iconic
- History
- Views
- Outdoors
Street · Minster Quarter
The Shambles
York's most famous street is a narrow medieval lane of timber-framed buildings whose upper storeys almost touch overhead.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Iconic
- History
- Shopping
- Photo spot
Museum · Coppergate
JORVIK Viking Centre
Built on the site of excavations that uncovered Viking-age houses and workshops at Coppergate in the 1970s and 80s, JORVIK takes visitors on a ride through a reconstruction of the 10th-century street, complete with sounds and smells, followed by galleries of the finds.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- History
- Rainy day
- Iconic
Museum · Leeman Road
National Railway Museum
Behind York station, the free national museum fills vast halls with locomotives and carriages, including Mallard, the fastest steam locomotive in the world, royal carriages used by Queen Victoria, and a Japanese Shinkansen bullet train.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Kids
- Rainy day
- History
- Iconic
Castle · Castle Area
Clifford's Tower
The 13th-century stone keep of York Castle stands on a steep mound built by William the Conqueror.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Views
- Kids
Where to stay
Minster Quarter is the easiest base for a first visit. Compare all 6 areas.
$$$$ · Best for first-timers, couples, culture and shopping
Minster Quarter
Medieval lanes around York Minster, the Shambles and Stonegate
$$$ · Best for nightlife, first-timers and solo travellers
Micklegate
A historic street of Georgian houses and bars running down from Micklegate Bar
$$ · Best for food lovers, couples and budget
Fossgate and Walmgate
Independent restaurants and bars on the quieter eastern side of the centre
$$ · Best for quiet stays, budget and families
Bootham and Clifton
Victorian terraces and guesthouses just outside the walls near the Minster
What to eat
- Yorkshire pudding — A light, crisp batter pudding baked in hot fat until it rises, traditionally served with roast beef and gravy or as a starter on its own.
- Fat Rascal — A large, round, scone-like cake with currants, citrus peel and spices, decorated with cherries and almonds to make a face.
- Wensleydale cheese with fruit cake — A crumbly, mild cheese from the Yorkshire Dales, traditionally eaten with a slice of rich fruit cake, a Yorkshire pairing that surprises many visitors.
- Yorkshire curd tart — A pastry tart filled with sweet curd cheese, currants and nutmeg or allspice, a traditional Yorkshire bake.
- Parkin — A dense, sticky ginger cake made with oatmeal, black treacle and golden syrup, traditionally eaten around Bonfire Night in November.
- Yorkshire forced rhubarb — Tender pink rhubarb grown in dark sheds in the 'Rhubarb Triangle' near Wakefield, about 40 km south-west, and in season from about January to March.
When to go
The best times to visit York are May, June and September, when the weather is mild, the walls and riverside are pleasant and crowds are lighter than in July and August. Late November and December are popular for the Christmas market but very busy at weekends, while January and March are quiet and good value.
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | March–May | Daffodils on the wall banks, mild days and the start of the racing season, with busy Easter weekends. |
| Summer | June–August | Long, warm days, river cruises and race meetings, but the biggest crowds and highest prices, especially around the Ebor Festival. |
| Autumn | September–November | Mild September with the food festival, autumn colour in October and the Christmas market from mid-November. |
| Winter | December–February | Christmas markets and Minster carols in December, then cold, quiet weeks and the JORVIK Viking Festival in February. |
Getting there and around
Leeds Bradford Airport is about 50 km south-west; there is no rail link, so take a bus to Leeds and a train to York, or a taxi, allowing about 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 45 minutes. Manchester Airport has direct trains to York in about 1 hour 50 minutes to 2 hours and far more international flights.
York's centre is compact and largely pedestrianised inside the walls, so walking covers almost everything: York station to the Minster takes about 15 minutes. Buses serve the outskirts and Park and Ride sites, and cycling is popular on flat riverside paths.
Plan your days
Two days covers the Minster, the walls, the Shambles, JORVIK and the National Railway Museum. A third day allows a day trip to Castle Howard, Whitby or Harrogate, or a slower pace with smaller museums.
Practical information
- Currency
- GBP
- Language
- English
- Plugs
- Type G three-pin sockets, 230 V, 50 Hz
- Tap water
- Tap water is safe and good to drink.
- Emergency number
- 999 or 112
- Tipping
- Tipping is not expected in pubs.
York is generally low-risk for visitors. Pickpockets occasionally work crowded streets at the Christmas market and on race days, and the city centre can be rowdy late on race-day evenings. The walls have uneven steps and low parapets in places, and riverside paths can flood in winter.
Flights to York
Questions travellers ask
+How many days do you need in York?
Two days covers the Minster, the walls, the Shambles, JORVIK and the National Railway Museum. A third day allows a day trip to Castle Howard, Whitby or Harrogate, or a slower pace with smaller museums. How to split your days.
+When is the best time to visit York?
The best times to visit York are May, June and September, when the weather is mild, the walls and riverside are pleasant and crowds are lighter than in July and August. Late November and December are popular for the Christmas market but very busy at weekends, while January and March are quiet and good value.
+What is York known for?
York Minster, City walls, The Shambles, Vikings, National Railway Museum, Ghost walks and Afternoon tea. York Minster's medieval stained glass, including the Great East Window, is among the largest collections of its kind in the world.
+Is York expensive?
York is moderately priced for international visitors: a mid-range trip costs roughly $160–$280 per person per day before flights (AMZBooking estimate). Costs and money-saving tips.
+Do you need a car in York?
No. Driving inside the walls is restricted and parking is expensive; use Park and Ride if you arrive by car. A car helps for the North York Moors, the Dales and Castle Howard, though buses, trains and tours reach the main day trips.